Guest Blog Interview: Kelly of View Along the Way

I have a special guest to share with you today, a blogger that I’ve been looking forward to introducing to you! Kelly of View Along the Way has such a friendly and witty writing style and I always adore visiting her little space of the blog-o-sphere to see what fun project she has put together for her beautiful home or what clever idea she has to share.

So pretty! Her dining room-turned-office is probably my favorite room. This is one of those bloggers that you just know you’d be good friends with if you ever met them in person, though we have only ever commented on each other’s sites! Kelly is kind, creative and oh-so talented.

Take a peek into the rest of her home and her answers to PDB’s five interview questions by following the jump. And hint – her laundry room was featured in Better Homes & Gardens just recently, see the before and after linked with Q #5!

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{PDB Interview with Kelly of View Along the Way}

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What inspires your design style?

I find I’m so, SO inspired by the seasons. I can walk through my home and tell you what season it was when I decorated each room, because I tend to pull those colors and textures into each space, sometimes very literally. There’s also endless inspiration to be found from other home bloggers, shelter magazines and flea markets.

What do you love most about what you do?

I could write a novel about why home blogging is my absolute dream job, so don’t even get me started! I find it touches on every little corner of my passions. It’s a place to develop real connections with people (that’s my absolute *favorite* thing!), write creatively, and talk design with people who “get it.” I get a huge rush by stretching myself to be inspired by couture design, and then finding ways to create my own spin on it, on a tiny little budget, and share the steps so others can do the same.

What are your favorite design trends?

I’m crazy about the trend toward the handmade, the do-it-yourself, the throw-caution-to-the-wind-and-get-your-hands-dirty freedom that home blogging has brought to design. There’s no shame in admitting a fancy wallpaper’s just not in the budget. There’s only the creativity that comes from finding ways to recreate that look, maybe by drawing on your walls with a sharpie, or stenciling, or something equally creative. And, of course, my heart goes pitter-patter for warm gold in any setting, and quirky, unusual animal busts.

What are three design suggestions that you would like to offer our readers?

{1.} If you’re designing on a budget, don’t forget that inspiration is free. Get your inspiration from the best designers. Train your eye by studying beautiful design, and find ways to recreate elements of it on your own.

{2.} Throw “trends” to the wind and study your personal taste. What makes you happy? What speaks to you? Design your home with those elements, and it’ll always be in style.

{3.} Patience! Don’t compromise on something that’s “good enough for now.” Take your time finding the pieces you LOVE LOVE LOVE, not just the ones you “like a lot” because you’re sick of looking at an empty wall or an empty corner.

Can you share a favorite DIY project and why you loved creating it?

I had so much fun on my laundry room makeover! We set a budget of only $100 (which we exceeded by $57, but I’m cool with that!) and completely transformed the room by using cabinets from a yard sale, shelves we made from scrap lumber, a stencil on the back wall and paint on the old linoleum floor. I think I love this project so much because it’s the first time I really stopped and thought about what makes me happy in a space – only me, because I’m the one who uses that room the most – and incorporated it all in one place.

Thank you, Kelly!

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If you loved this interview, check out more great spotlights {and tips & tricks!} from fantastic bloggers, designers and authors.